Quail with Codonopsis and Astragalus Soup，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Nourishes qi and blood. Suitable for malnutrition caused by deficiency of both qi and blood
given the warm nature, caution is advised if the tongue is red with scant coating or there is tidal fever and night sweats; in the absence of frank deficiency, or where an excess or heat pattern prevails, indiscriminate warming tonic use is inadvisable; the tonifying-warming action may aggravate internal heat; avoid during feverish or inflammatory episodes
Commentary
At the head stands Quails, the sovereign, neutral in nature and sweet in flavor, with Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine tropism; it tonifies the middle, boosts qi, and clears damp-heat, underpinning the principal thrust of the decoction. The ministerial layer, codonopsis (with neutral nature and sweet flavor, having Spleen, Lung tropism, tonifies qi, strengthens the spleen and nourishes the lung), and astragalus (nature slightly warm, flavor sweet, channeled into the Spleen, Lung, tonifies qi, raises yang, secures the exterior and promotes the discharge of pus), lends support that reinforces the sovereign’s main effect. The formula is rounded out by scallions, harmonizing the stomach and supporting dietary nourishment, and ginger, acting as the envoy to harmonize the various ingredients, keeping the combination balanced and well-tempered. The combined effect is tailored to the qi-blood pattern.